At ESPN.com, Pierre LeBrun writes that the NHL is not ready to bring a mediator in to help get things moving in regards to a getting a new CBA done.

Bill Daly told LeBrun, “So far, I think we all have been in agreement that we didn’t think that the introduction of a mediator into the process was timely or that it would necessarily further the process. That may change at some point, but it hasn’t yet.”

George Cohen, who declined LeBrun’s interview request, was the mediator who worked with the NBA and NBAPA last year.

Cohen previously worked as a consultant for the NHLPA, NBAPA and MLBPA but the NY Times says that he takes a down the middle approach.

Notwithstanding Cohen’s pro-union background, management lawyers say he is a down-the-middle mediator who is adept at nudging two sometimes unmovable groups, as he must do in this instance. His skills as a private mediator helped persuade President Obama in 2009 to appoint him director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which steps in to help end major disputes that are hurting the economy.

The NHL’s lead lawyer Bob Batterman dealt with Cohen during the NFL lockout when Batterman represented the NFL. Batterman said, “He has total credibility on both sides. He knows how to move the process, and he understands the politics on each side of the table.”

Cohen told the NY Post last year, “All labor disputes come to an end. And some day, there will be an agreement or otherwise there wouldn’t be an enterprise anymore. We are ready willing and able to assist parties in the future and hopefully they will do it and we can have a peaceful resolution of their dispute.”

@McGeorge all the receivers drafted Saunders cut without even giving him a development year, Enunwa on PS with a court date pending and Evans out for the year, time to test out the scrubs like last year, Kerley carries the receiving for team, and MM has to figure out how to use Amaro, Cumberland out as usual